New Year's Eve festivities in the city

Sarah Bloomquist Image
Thursday, December 31, 2015
VIDEO: New Year's festivities
There is a lot going on during the New Year's Eve holiday. From fireworks to the Fancy Brigade, 2016 is being welcomed in with plenty of Philly flair.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- There is a lot going on during the New Year's Eve holiday. From fireworks to the Fancy Brigade, 2016 is being welcomed in with plenty of Philly flair.

At Winterfest, plenty of people spent a sun-filled afternoon skating around in circles, enjoying the company of family and good friends while looking forward to a new year to come.

"I'm really looking forward to this New Year. I can't wait. Hopefully, it will be a little bit better than last year," said Dave LaPierre of Aston, Pennsylvania. "Seems like the New Year always got a lot of hope."

"I'm looking forward to new things happening. In 2016, I have tickets to go to Disney World," said Juliette LaPierre of Aston, Pa.

Behind the scenes of the Mummers Parade 2015

Not far away, at Columbus Avenue and Race Streets, La Peg restaurant was getting ready to host quite a crowd.

They'll have close to 550 for a concert at the theater next door - 200 will stay on for a decadent 3 course dinner.

"Lamb rack and lobster and scallops with a caviar sauce. It's about ringing in the New Year so we're getting a little decadent tonight," said owner Peter Woolsey.

Add in a few specialty drinks and some nice red wine. Of course, they expect to go through lots of sparkling wine as well.

Speaking of sparkle a fireworks show midnight will light up the New Year's night over the Delaware River.

"Every year it gets bigger and better, but this year we've invested even more in the shows because so many people are coming out to the 6 o'clock show it's as big as the one at midnight," said Jodie Milkman of the Delaware River Waterfront Corp. "If you think about it, it's a great way to celebrate the New Year."